Thus ensconced, the Assads, like the Qaddafis of Libya and other thugs in the worst rights pits of the world, have made their hard bargain: The only exit from rule will come if or when the rulers swing from lamp posts.

FORBES: One Party But Not Just One Outcome

Given the oligarchs' unpopularity, it was politically expedient for Mr Putin to swing one from a lamp-post.

ECONOMIST: The Khodorkovsky case

Shortly after the movie started, they and others noticed the emergency exit door to the audience's right swing open, spilling light from an outside lamp into the darkened theater.

WSJ: Witnesses Describe Colorado Theater Shooting